Joe Palooka comic books are based on the comic strip about a heavyweight boxing champion, created by cartoonist Ham Fisher in 1921. The strip debuted in 1930 and was carried at its peak by 900 newspapers.
Joe Palooka was ranked one of the five most popular strips. Secondary characters included Joe's manager Knobby Walsh, society girl Ann Howe, mute kid character Little Max and blacksmith Humphrey Pennyworth.